Disappearance of phantom limb pain during cauda equina compression by spinal meningioma and gradual reactivation after decompression.

Abstract

We describe a 65-yr-old woman, whose right lower limb had been amputated at the mid-femoral level because of complicated femur fracture sustained at the age of 5 yr. After amputation, she experienced phantom limb pain (PLP), which gradually decreased in intensity but persisted for 60 yr. At this point the pain diminished progressively, in parallel with the evolution of cauda equina compression caused by an intraspinal tumor. The PLP gradually reappeared over 3 mo after surgical removal of the tumor. We present a case in which phantom limb pain (PLP) in an amputated leg disappeared during cauda equina compression by meningioma and reactivated after surgical decompression. This case suggests that complete compression or blockade of nerves, a nerve plexus, the cauda equina, or the medullary cord may result in suppression of PLP, and decompression of or recovery from the block may cause reactivation.